A SMALL group of protesters gathered outside a house in Pembroke Dock on Tuesday (Mar 19) following the release of convicted sex offender Matthew Gilbert.

The demonstration took place on Water Street, where Gilbert now resides. Protesters, including some youths, voiced their concerns about his presence in the community, particularly due to the number of young children living nearby. The property is also close to a local boxing club used by youngsters.

Gilbert, 39, was previously sentenced to 16 months in prison after sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy on a bus traveling from Haverfordwest to Milford Haven. During the incident, Gilbert sat next to the teenager, engaged him in conversation, and proceeded to touch the boy’s thigh inappropriately. The victim later reported feeling “frozen” and “shocked” by the assault.

At his sentencing, the judge described Gilbert as posing a “significant risk to young boys” and placed him on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

In addition to this offense, Gilbert has a record of other criminal activities. He previously admitted to making obscene phone calls to the Pembroke Dock fire station, which caused distress among the emergency crew. He was also convicted of sexually assaulting another man in Neyland in September 2023.

Residents are now questioning why Gilbert has been allowed to reside so close to children and a boxing club frequented by young people. The protest on Tuesday remained peaceful, with police confirming that no arrests were made.

Authorities have yet to comment on whether further action will be taken regarding Gilbert’s presence in the community.

AN INQUEST has opened into the death of 15-year-old Kady Hannah Absalom, who was found at a property in Burton on Saturday, March 15.

HM Coroner for Pembrokeshire, Paul Bennett, heard that emergency services were called to the property at 4:27pm. Paramedics were already at the scene, where the teenager was reported to be in cardiac arrest. She was pronounced dead shortly after.

Coroner’s officer PC Carrie Sheridan confirmed that the girl who sadly died was Kady Hannah Absalom, a school pupil born in Haverfordwest.

A post-mortem examination was carried out by Dr Stephen Leadbeatter at West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen.

Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, with enquiries ongoing.

The death has deeply affected the local community, with Haverfordwest High School issuing a letter to parents expressing their sorrow. Headteacher Mrs J Harries described the loss as a “great shock” and extended her condolences to Kady’s family and friends.

The school has offered pastoral support to pupils affected by the tragedy and urged the community to be mindful of the impact of sharing unverified information on social media.

Mr Bennett expressed his sympathies to Kady’s family, saying: “I would like to say how sorry I am for the family that they have to endure not only the loss of their daughter but also the inquest process itself.”

The inquest has been adjourned until June for a review hearing.

THE MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY’S latest report has revealed a troubling rise in litter on Welsh beaches, with drinks-related waste present on 99% of those surveyed.

The charity’s annual State of Our Beaches 2024 report highlights that glass bottles were found on almost half (49%) of the surveyed beaches in Wales. The findings have prompted calls for the Welsh Government to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) that includes glass, aligning with the rest of the UK.

Growing problem of beach pollution

In 2024, volunteers conducted 119 surveys across Wales, marking an 8% increase from the previous year. A total of 1,073 volunteers participated in the Marine Conservation Society’s beach clean programme, recording all litter found along 100-metre sections of coastline. The data, collected over 30 years, helps the charity identify pollution trends and advocate for cleaner seas.

On average, 120 litter items were recorded per 100-metre stretch—an increase of 4% from 2023—suggesting the problem of beach pollution is far from solved.

Call for urgent action on deposit scheme

The report found an average of 10 drinks-related litter items—including cans, plastic bottles, and glass bottles—per 100-metre section. With drinks-related waste appearing on nearly every surveyed beach, the Marine Conservation Society is urging the Welsh Government to implement a DRS that includes glass.

Elise Lavender, Parliamentary Affairs Officer for Wales at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “We support the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme in Wales that includes glass and allows reuse. We are calling on the Welsh Government to implement this as close as possible to the UK-wide scheme launch in October 2027. Bringing this forward will help ensure a smoother transition, improve recycling efforts, and contribute to a more sustainable future for Wales.”

Glass bottles pose a growing threat

A total of 175 glass bottles were collected by volunteers, with glass litter recorded on almost half of the beach cleans. The Marine Conservation Society’s data indicates that glass waste on beaches is increasing, with 2024 ranking as the ninth highest year for glass litter since records began 31 years ago. Broken glass poses a serious threat to both marine life and beachgoers, with sharp edges causing potential injuries.

With the presence of drinks-related litter so widespread, the Marine Conservation Society says its data highlights the urgent need for a DRS in Wales to reduce waste and encourage a culture of reuse and recycling.

Success of deposit schemes in other countries

Under the proposed DRS, consumers would pay a small deposit when purchasing drinks, which they would receive back upon returning the empty container to a collection point. Similar schemes have seen success in countries such as Finland, Lithuania, and Sweden. Ireland’s recent introduction of a DRS has led to an 80% reduction in drinks-related litter per kilometre of beach, demonstrating the potential impact of such a system in Wales.

While England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are set to roll out a UK-wide DRS in October 2027, Wales has chosen to develop its own version, which will include glass containers.

Lottery funding supports clean-up efforts

For the past decade, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery have helped fund the Marine Conservation Society’s beach cleaning initiatives.

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at the People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Beach cleans are about more than just removing litter. The information collected by Marine Conservation Society volunteers contributes to valuable datasets identifying pollution sources and trends over time so we can all take action to reduce marine pollution and protect our seas.

“I’m delighted funding raised by players of Postcode Lottery is supporting beach cleans, where every piece of litter collected and recorded brings us a step closer to healthier oceans.”

How to get involved

Those interested in joining a beach clean or organising their own event can find more details on the Marine Conservation Society’s website.